What is Sexual Assault and Rape?

​Put simply, sexual assault is any sexual act carried out without the consent of one of the people involved. When it comes to sexual contact, consent is paramount. This includes intentional sexual touching of any part of someone’s body. It makes no difference if you are clothed or not and the touching can be with any body part or an object.

What is the difference between rape & assault by penetration?

Under new laws, it is an offence to penetrate the anus or vagina of someone else with any part of the body or with an object, if the penetration is sexual and if the person does not consent. A male or female could be responsible for assault by penetration whereas rape requires penile penetration and can therefore only be committed by a male. When it comes to the law rape is defined as the non-consensual penetration of the vagina, anus or mouth by a penis.​Rape and sexual assault can happen to anyone male or female, young or old.